Aruba Petroleum casts a dark shadow on one family’s Christmas

The following comment was posted on one of the blog posts about the Ruggiero family and Aruba Petroleum.

Jim said…

Tim, Christine and Reilly,
A Grandparents perspective:

When we approached Tim and Christine’s home we could see the rigs from some distance off. I had no idea of the ruin caused by Aruba. The horse pasture was gone, replaced by drilling rigs, trucks, tanks,noise and unidentifiable smells. Their small property had been transformed from a peaceful country setting to an ugly industrial site.

As we turned the corner into their driveway, I noticed tears in my wifes’ eyes and her silence told much about how she was feeling. We had come for Thanksgiving as we often do, but this would be much different. Sorrow filled my wife and myself as we noticed how tired our beautiful daughter looked.

It had not been so long ago that we had shared Tim and Christine’s joy when they purchased their new home and as they shared their vision to turn it into a sanctuary for themselves and our granddaughter Reilly. A place where Reilly could have her beloved animals and revel in the nature which surrounded her. A pond, a wooded area, and maybe someday a place for horses. Two dogs became four and the home was filled with a menagerie of critters from hamsters to guinea pigs to rabbits and even a whole bunch of praying mantis. The smaller animals often caught a ride on Reilly’s head and might show up at the doctors office much to the shock of the physician.

Reilly has always had a deep concern and love for animals and hopes someday to become a vet. Probably her most exciting moment was when Ninya her new horse joined the family last Christmas.

Along with Ninya came Franklin, an incredibly scruffy abandoned stable dog, dog number five. Soon to follow were stables, an enclosed pasture and riding lessons.
An idealic way of life to be sure but it was accomplished through hard work, long hours and persistance. This was to be their home, their santuary, it represented safety and security, a place that was a joy to visit, relax and enjoy our kids and granddaughter. The seemingly perpetual smile on their faces was a tonic to us.
It is gone now, the horse pasture, the horses, the view of the pond, the peaceful setting. It has been replaced by an industrial site with all the inherent noise, smells and pollution. Gone is the property value but more importantly, the peace is gone from the faces of our children.

Kids are resilient but I suspect that Reilly hides her heartbreak very well.

Aruba, I have given you a very personal insight, will the money justify the damage to property and lives? I hope that others will say no!!

Jim and Tommie Edwards, proud parents and grandparents.

About Sharon Wilson

Sharon Wilson is considered a leading citizen expert on the impacts of shale oil and gas extraction. She is the go-to person whether it’s top EPA officials from D.C., national and international news networks, or residents facing the shock of eminent domain and the devastating environmental effects of natural gas development in their backyards.

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